Children's Home run by Destiny House in Harrow

Inspection report children’s home: SC038906 1 SC038906

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Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This private home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people. The home’s statement of purpose notes that the home can look after young people who have severe anxiety, attachment issues, emotional behavioural difficulties and/or challenging behaviour.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC038906 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One requirement and one recommendation were made at the last full inspection of the home. The home has successfully addressed both. There are no requirements and recommendations resulting from this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager resigned her position in January 2020. The home has appointed the current independent visitor to the post of interim manager. She was away from the home on annual leave during the inspection and is yet to apply for formal registration with Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The responsible individual was present during this inspection and will be supporting the home during the transitional period.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interim manager is an experienced practitioner with extensive management experience. As the independent visitor she has established positive relationships with staff and young people. To ensure consistency and minimise disruption to young people, the home plans to appoint the former registered manager to the post of independent visitor.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has not admitted any young people since the last inspection. This is due to the complex needs of the sole young person resident in the home. Despite arriving in the home in March 2019 with a significant history of violence and placement breakdown, there have been no incidents of concern or missing behaviour since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person continues to make good progress. He recently received awards for his ‘180-degree positive turn around in education’ and his participation in a sea- cadet summer programme. During the summer, the young person experienced his first holiday abroad with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person’s progress in education is positive and he is well supported by strong staff support. The young person failed to engage in education for six years prior to his arrival. He is presently planning to move on to full-time education, after successfully engaging with a programme of home tuition.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Consent for the use of closed-circuit television is in place. The responsible individual will continue to review its benefit, dependent on the needs of the young people in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessment and behaviour management plans have been improved. Plans clearly document and review the effectiveness of staff’s ability to manage young Inspection report children’s home: SC038906 3 people’s behaviour. Techniques work well and include a focus on supporting the young person to reflect on the consequences of his actions and to address aggressive behaviour consistently.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/07/2019 Full Good 07/02/2019 Interim Not judged 12/06/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/11/2017 Full Inadequate Inspection report children’s home: SC038906 4

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: SC038906 5

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Inspector

Barnaby Dowell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC038906 6 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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